Objective: To investigate the effects of novel targeted non-viral vector in gene therapy of human glioma. Methods: The EGF-R targeting gene delivery system GE7 was constructed. Human Glioma cell line U251 was transfected in vitro with ?－gal as reportor gene and p21 as therapeutic gene using this gene delivery system. By means of the assay of ?-galactosidase staining, Western blotting, in situ end labeling apoptosis cells and DNA ladder, the transferring of exogenous genes and the apoptosis of the tumor cells were examined.Results: It was showed that gene transfer efficiency is over 80%. When transfected with p21 gene, the growth of cells was inhibited significantly, and the apoptosis was detected in the transfected cell by the methods of in situ end labeling and DNA ladder. Conclusion: The GE7 gene delivery system has the ability to transfer exogenous gene to tumor cells and the expression of the therapeutic gene can inhibit the growth of the cells.

Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polypropylenes ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Respiratory Tract Fistula ; surgery ; Surgical Mesh

Posttraumatic foreign bodies in the heart or great vessels is rare, which may cause cardiac tamponade, bleeding, shock, infection, embolism, arrhythmia, valve dysfunction, etc. The foreign bodies can be removed by surgery or percutaneous intervention. In this report we reviewed our experience in managing posttraumatic foreign bodies in 13 patients at our institution from 1992 to 2002.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aorta ; injuries ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; etiology ; Heart Injuries ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND:Human mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's jelly(WJCs)display the characteristics of MSCs as defined by the International Society for Cellular Therapy.They can be differentiated into bone,cartilage,adipose,muscle,and neural cells.They can also support the expansion of other stem cells,be weli-tolerated by the immune system,and have the ability to home to tumors.OBJECTIVE:To investigate biological changes of WJCs and brain tumor stem cells(BTSCs)co-cultured in vitro.METHODS:WJCs cultured by situ cultivation and BTSCs used enzyme digestion way respectively,and gathering the 3rd passage of WJCs though subculturing as well as BTSCs.Two kinds of cells co-cultured in 24-well plates in serum-free medium (SFM)without any growth factor.3 and 7 days after co-cultured respectively,CD133 expression of suspension cells in the 24-well plates were identified by flow cytometry,and immunofluorescence was performed for Nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)expression of adherent cells.Co-culture supernatant(CCS)re-suspended 3~(rd) passage of BTSCs and cultured into 96-well plates at day 3,which were used to determine the difference in cell growth curve in both groups using a microplate reader.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:With the cocultivation days increasing,the phenomenon that tumor sphere cells began to be decomposed,adherent and differentiated observed by an inverted microscope.BTSCs in the co-cultured group expressed GFAP and Nestin when adherent and differentiated.The higher degree of malignant brain tumor tissue used in culturing BTSCs was,the higher expression of CD133 in BTSCs was.CD 133~+ in BTSCs declined when co-cultured with WJCs.Growth curve of brain tumor stem cells cultured in CCS compared with in SFM at day 3,which indicates that the proliferation of BTSCs inhibited obviously.Results indicated that CD 133~+ expression and proliferative capacity of BTSCs went down and BTSCs underwent differentiation during the co-culture in vitro.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have low immunogenicity and immunomodulatory effect,but there are seldom reports concerning the immunomodulatory effect of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells of human umbilical cord and its mechanims.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells of human umbilical cord on varient peripheral blood T lymphocytes.METHODS:Mesenchymal stem cells were isolateded from Wharton's jelly of human umbilical cord by tissue culture.T lymphocytes from human peripheral blood were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin and co-cultured with umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells and umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells supernatant respectively to measure A value following 72 hours of coculture using multifunctional microplate reader.Expression of cytokines including transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1)and interferon-y(IFN-γ)was evaluated by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells could inhibite the proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by phytohemagglutinin.The proliferation inhibition rate was 56%(P＜0.01).Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells supernatant also had inhibitory effects on proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by phytohemagglutinin,in a dose-dependent fashion.The proliferation inhibition rates were 8.3% and 27% respectively in the 50% Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells supernatant and 100% Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells supematant groups(P＜0.05).Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells significantly decreased γ-interferon secrted from T-lymphocytes(P＜0.05).The secretion of TGF-β1 was lower in the coculture of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells and T lymphocytes group than Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells alone group(P＜0.05).These indicated that Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells and Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells supernatant have inhibitory effects on proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by phytohemagglutinin.The mechanims may be associated with cell contant and inhibition of v-interferon secrted from T-lymphocytes.

Objective To observe the effect of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine(5-aza-CdR)on the normal epithelial specific-1 gene(NES1)and the growth of human gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice,and to explore the possible anti-tumor mechanisms and search for new treatment for gastric cancer.Methods Human gastric caner xenograft model in nude mice was established and treated with 5-aza-CdR.The growth of xenografts in nude mice was observed,and the status of methylation and protein expression of NES1 gene were detected by MSP and immunohistochemistry respectirely.Results After treatment with 5-aza-CdR,the growth of the xenografts in nude mice was greatly inhibited(P

BACKGROUNDIn a suitable microenvironment, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can transdifferentiate into myocardial cells whose special gene can be expressed as structural proteins. Growth factor (GF) plays an important role in the cell migration, survival and differentiation. However, the effect of GF on the cellular differentiation is not well understood. In this study, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were used in the mixed culture of BMSCs and myocardial cells and the effects of these growth factors on the GATA-4 expression of BMSCs were investigated.

METHODSBMSCs were isolated from the marrow of rabbit femurs and tibias and foetal rabbit ventricular myocytes were isolated with trypsin sequential digestion. These two kinds of cells were cocultured in a ratio of 1:1 for 6 weeks; cocultured cells with added HGF and IGF-1 were the experimental group. The differentiated BMSCs were collected using the laser capture, microdissection system and their RNA isolated. Immunocytochemical staining, transmission electron microscopy and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the transformation of the stem cells into cardiomyocytes like cells.

RESULTSWhen cultured separately, BMSCs did not express alpha-actin and the stem cells had many nucleoli. However, when cocultured with cardiomyocytes, BMSCs expressed alpha-actin and the cardiac transcription factor GATA-4 and showed cardiomyocyte like ultrastructure. In comparison with the control group, the experimental group exhibited the enhanced expression level of GATA-4. The GATA-4 expression of BMSCs increased gradually following the addition of HGF and IGF-1, reached the maximal level after two weeks and decreased slightly thereafter.

CONCLUSIONSBMSCs can transdifferentiate into cardiomyocytes like cells and express the cardiac transcription factor GATA-4 after being cocultured with myocardial cells. HGF and IGF-1 can stimulate transdifferentiation of BMSCs into cardiac phenotype and enhance the expression of GATA-4. These results indicate that growth factors have a great potential in clinical cellular therapy.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Coculture Techniques ; GATA4 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; pharmacology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rabbits

It has been shown that oxidative stress correlates with atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the electrophysiological activity of human atrial myocytes. Right atrial appendages were obtained from patients with AF (AF group, n=12) and without AF (non-AF group, n=12). Single human atrial myocytes were isolated through enzymatic dissociation with type XXIV protease and type V collagenase, then divided into three subgroups: control group (n=12), H2O2 group (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 5, 10 mumol/L, n=7 at each concentration) and vitamin C (antioxidant) group (1 mumol/L, n=7). Ultrarapid delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Kur)), L-type calcium current (I(Ca,L)) and action potential duration (APD) were recorded by whole-cell patch clamp. In AF control group, the maximum current densities of I(Kur) and I(Ca,L) were significantly lower than that in non-AF control group (both P<0.05) and APD(90) was significantly shorter as well (P<0.05). In both non-AF and AF groups, H2O2 showed two-way concentration-dependent effect on I(Kur) and I(Ca,L). The maximum current densities of I(Kur) and I(Ca,L) was significantly increased at lower H2O2 concentration, but was decreased at higher H2O2 concentration. In non-AF group, 0.2 mumol/L H2O2 caused a peak increase in the maximum current identities of I(Kur) [(8.92+/-0.51) pA/pF, P<0.05] and I(Ca,L) [(9.32+/-0.67) pA/pF, P<0.05]. H2O2 at a concentration higher than 0.75 mumol/L decreased I(Kur) and I(Ca,L). When the H2O2 concentrations were 0.2, 1, 2, 5 and 10 mumol/L, APD(90) was significantly shorter compared with that in non-AF control group (P<0.05), meanwhile it had no significant difference from that in AF control group. In AF group, the peak effective concentration of H2O2 was 0.5 mumol/L, and the turning concentration was 1 mumol/L. The H2O2 concentration-current density curve in AF group was similar to that in non-AF group, but the turning point shifted to the right, indicating that the way that H2O2 acted on ion channels in AF was the same as that in non-AF, however, the sensitivity of ion channels to H2O2 was decreased in AF. Vitamin C reversed these changes induced by H2O2, and did not affect the characteristics of ion channels. H2O2-induced electrophysiological changes in human atrial myocytes were similar to atrial electrical remodeling (AER) in AF, suggesting that ROS might induce AF. Meanwhile, H2O2 also could aggravate AER in AF, contributing to the maintenance of AF. The results suggest that antioxidants might play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of AF.
Action Potentials ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; Calcium ; physiology ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; physiology ; Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Heart Atria ; cytology ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; chemistry ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium ; physiology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo summarize and analyze the experience in diagnosis and treatment of primary malignant tumors of the heart and pericardium.

METHODSThe clinical data of 24 patients with malignant tumors of the heart and pericardium treated in our hospital between Jun. 1980 and Mar. 2008 were retrospectively analyzed and the related literature was reviewed.

RESULTSAll 24 patients received surgical treatment. Radical resection in 10 cases and partial resection in 6 cases were performed, and the remaining 8 patients received only surgical exploration due to unresectable tumors. One patient died of cardiopulmonary failure in early postoperative stage and all the other patients died within 4 years after operation due to recurrence or metastases.

CONCLUSIONEchocardiography, CT, MRI, 3D-CT, CT of coronary artery and cardiac angiography are helpful for the diagnosis and selection of operation mode. Histological examination is necessary for the final diagnosis. Early diagnosis and surgical resection of the tumor as complete as possible, and combination with post-operative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may improve the survival of the patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Mesothelioma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Myxoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Pericardium ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult